Roof leaks, foundation cracks, water or fire damage, knob-and-tube wiring, a boiler at the end of its life: these are exactly the houses I renovate.

Your three options, honestly:

Repair, then list. This gives you the most potential upside. It also takes cash, contractors, permits, and months, with the risk that costs overrun.
List as-is with an agent. You reach the open market, but many buyers’ lenders won’t finance homes in poor condition, which narrows the buyer pool.
Sell directly as-is. You get a lower price than a renovated sale, but no repair cost, no showings, and a known timeline.

I’ll tell you which one I think makes sense for your house, even if it isn’t option 3. [PLACEHOLDER: before/after of a real renovation by Naor] Get an offer

Repairs I see most in NYC houses

Roofs, parapets and brick facades that need repointing
Old boilers and buried or basement oil tanks
Galvanized or lead supply lines, old cast-iron waste lines
Knob-and-tube or undersized electrical service
Basements or additions finished without permits (see DOB violations)
Water, fire, mold or foundation damage

What a renovation would involve

If you’re weighing the fix-it-first route, the real costs are more than the contractor’s bid: permits and a licensed architect or engineer when the work requires them, carrying costs while the house is empty, and time. I can price both paths for you: a renovation estimate from our team and an as-is offer. See renovation

Common questions

Will a lender finance a buyer for a house in this condition? Often not, which is why many as-is houses go to cash buyers.
Do I need to disclose problems? Talk to your attorney about New York’s disclosure rules for your sale.

Related: inherited property · how it works · FAQ

Rather keep the house? See gut renovation in NYC and all renovation services.